Special parties- dinner bforehand?

[hsmamato2]

Has anyone here had any experience with a Disney special party? I know they have a lot of them, but we're going to our first this winter,for pirates and princesses. I was wondering,if the time says it starts at 7:30 does that mean the park closes? Or,if we don't plan to go to MK till the party, could we make dinner reservations in MK,and then go to the party? How would we time that? I guess i want to know, how early could we eat dinner,and still be allowed in the park for the party,which doesn't begin till 7:30? Would we be able to go on rides before the set time? so many questions..... Any advice from experienced party goers?

 

[mydogisbo]

I'm interested too.

We're going to P&P in January (our first party). I have park hopper tickets for that day, so I'm not so worried about what time we can get in, but wondered how the transition goes & rides being open.

We have a 4:30 ADR at Tony's (character breakfast, snack or no lunch) & pan to catch the early wishes & then see what is available for us to do from then on out. (Before the official party open time)

 

[hsmamato2]

Do you think with a 4;30 seating,after dinner you can still hang around? what time is the early wishes? I'm so confused!but in a good way...

 

[mydogisbo]

What I read is Wishes at 6:30 that night.

From what I've seen from other parties on this board, they usually let ticket holders in at 4:30 to get their wristbands. So--I'm assuming it is all kind of fluid, as in Wishes for everyone at 6:30, park close for general public & then the party starts. I guess if we can't hang around we'll do a monorail loop & come back!

Hopefully someone who has been to the other parties can post to clear it up with what they've experienced.

 

[hsmamato2]

Any of you who attend the special holiday paries have anything to help us out with? I would assume that the procedure must be similiar... I really want to maximize the fun! But,don't want to make a mistake,and make plans when we won't be able to do them,you know what I mean...

 

[karrit2000]

The park closes to regular guest. You will get a wristband to identify that you paid for a party ticket. For several years the unofficial policy has been that Party Guest can enter with a Paty Ticket any time after 4PM. They will give you your writsband as you enter as long as it is after 4PM. If you enter the park earlier with a hopper ticket there are stations set up after a certain time where you will need to go to get your wristband. No one knows yet if they will be showing the fireworks both before & during the Party. Once the MVMCPs start we may have a better idea of whether or not they do two fireworks shows. As long as you have a ticket for the party even though the park is "Closed" to regualr guest, You can enter any time during the party hours. I would advise that if you want to eat TS dinner in MK make your reservations soon & get them for any time earlier but no later than 6PM. This will ensure that you are finished eating prior to the official party start time. That way you will not miss any of the special doings at the party.